Cats are very unique animals. They are intelligent and independent, while being loving. Taking care of a cat can be a challenge, however. Keep reading to learn some great advice about cats that will keep your cat healthier and happier for your sake and theirs.

Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. It also stops hairballs. Regularly grooming keeps cats looking well and keeps your home neater.

TIP! If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home.

Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.

If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. If your cat gets lost during its time outdoors, a tag makes it easier to locate the animal. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.

When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. Your cat and your nose will thank you for the effort.

TIP! If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only.

Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.

Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. This can result in you having to clean up food outside its bowl if you don’t use a tablecloth. There are two ways to do this. You can either put a placemat under the food bowl or use some stray fabric that you have lying around. Either way, you can easily get rid of debris by dumping them in the garbage.

Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

TIP! Make sure you purchase medicines and treatments specifically for cats. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products.

To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.

Animal Protein

Don’t scrimp when it comes to your pet’s food. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Don’t choose a food which is mainly corn. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.

TIP! You have to place a litter box correctly. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas.

Cats are truly the center of the household. Read this article again if it helps. Apply what you’ve just learned as you set out to properly care for your cat so that both of you lead happy lives.